Federal boost helps launch new YMCA and housing project in downtown Hamilton

The federal government is giving a boost to a local YMCA housing project in downtown Hamilton and the current location will be sold to make way for more housing.

It’s the same location that had a fire on the third floor of its men’s residence. But this new location will be a mixed-use community building.

The funding announcement was made Saturday morning at the current downtown Hamilton YMCA building which had a fire on the third floor last year. But that building on James Street South at Jackson Street will eventually be sold.

The new downtown Hamilton YMCA will be built just around the corner on Main Street.

“We want to make sure the people of Hamilton get the level of support that’s required from the federal government. This is a once in a generation budget that is meant to help build communities. And we know that Hamiltonians are struggling right now, especially with the steel industry being impacted so heavily,” said Gary Anandasangaree, the minister of public safety.

The new YMCA will be a mixed-use property.

“That building will contain many of our ecosystem programs including child care, including a youth newcomer centre, including our aquatics, including our health and fitness. And it will be adjacent to our immigration employment services. So it will have a depth and breadth of the YMCA ecosystem in that new building,” said Manny Figueiredo, Hamilton YMCA President and CEO.

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The site will also include two 32 story co-op towers, a partnership with Collecdev-Markee, the builder.

“The difference between a co-op and a traditional rental building is the renters actually own the building. So if you think about it, it’s kind of like a hybrid between a condo where you have a condo board and a rental building. So when you rent, you own,” said Jason Marks, chairman at Collecdev-Markee.

The total cost of the new YMCA is around $72 million – not including the two towers.

The project is expected to support jobs and contribute to local spending during the construction.

“It’s a significant project. And it’s a multi-phase project. So there is one building and the Y is in the first phase. Then there’s the second building to be built. And then this site will be rebuilt into housing as well,” said Marks.

And the goal is to have shovels in the ground within 18 months and then have both buildings fully operational within five to seven years.

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